Key Verse: “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” — 1 Corinthians 1:18
“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.” — Isaiah 53:5
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” — John 3:16
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” — Romans 5:8
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” — Ephesians 2:8
Let’s be honest—the message of the cross does not always make sense to people at first. The world usually looks for strength in power, success, status, money, education, or influence. But God showed His greatest wisdom in a way many people would never expect: through Jesus dying on a cross.
Isaiah 53 helps us see what was really happening. Jesus was rejected, wounded, and treated like He had done something wrong. But He was not suffering because of His own sin—He was carrying ours. He took on our grief, our sorrow, our rebellion, and our guilt because He loved us that much.
That is why the cross can look foolish to those who do not understand it. People say, “Save yourself.” But Jesus chose to give Himself. People say, “Avoid pain.” But Jesus endured pain so we could be healed. People say, “Win by force.” But Jesus won by surrendering to the Father’s will.
But for those of us who believe, the cross is not foolish at all. It is the power of God. When we look at the cross, we see how serious sin is, but we also see how deep God’s love goes. Jesus did not come just to give us good advice or teach nice lessons. He came to give His life for us.
Jesus told His disciples ahead of time that He would suffer, die, and rise again on the third day. So the cross was not a mistake, and it was not the enemy winning. It was God’s plan all along. What looked like defeat was actually the doorway to victory.
Because of the cross, our sins can be forgiven. Because of the cross, our hearts can be changed. Because of the cross, we can come back to God. And because Jesus rose again, we know death did not get the final word. The resurrection proves that God’s wisdom is greater than anything this world could ever come up with.
So when the world calls the cross foolish, we call it salvation. When the world sees weakness, we see love. When the world sees an ending, we see a new beginning. The cross reminds us that God does not always move the way people expect Him to move, but His way always leads to life.
Reflection and Call to Action
Today, let’s not be ashamed of the cross. Let’s remember that Jesus carried what we could not carry, paid what we could not pay, and opened a way we could never open on our own. Take a moment to thank Him for His sacrifice, surrender your heart again, and ask Him to help you live in the power of what He has already done.
Closing Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for the cross. Thank You for loving me enough to carry what I could not carry and pay the price I could not pay. Help me never be ashamed of Your sacrifice. Open my heart to understand the power of the cross in a deeper way, and teach me to live each day in the freedom, forgiveness, and victory You made possible. Amen.
Minister A Francine Green I July 2026